No jail for man who told gardaí to 'go f*** your mothers'

A 21-year-old man who claimed he was intoxicated and used explicit language towards gardaí, including telling them to 'go f*** your mothers', has been given community service work in lieu of a prison sentence.

Richard Woodruffe also called gardaí 'pr**ks' and 'w**kers' outside a nightclub after a fight broke out between a number of other men.

Woodruffe of Mooretown Road in Swords pleaded guilty before Swords District Court to using threatening and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated outside The Wright Venue at Airside Retail Park on October 28 last year.

Garda Alan Carroll said he arrested Woodruffe at around 3am when a fight broke out at the nightclub.

"He continued to be abusive and shouted various insults at gardaí," said Gda Carroll.

Woodruffe has seven previous convictions, including being handed down a four-year sentence in January for drugs offences, which was suspended for four years, the court heard.

Defence solicitor Ms Fiona Darcy said Woodruffe was intoxicated on the night of the offences because of the pressure and stress of the drugs charges which were pending at the time.

"He is embarrassed and apologises for his behaviour," said Ms Darcy. "He is very sorry and would be willing to do community service."

Judge Dermot Dempsey handed Woodruffe 240 hours community service work in lieu of a two-month prison sentence.